Advice on how to prepare for TC chemo?
Hello everyone! First time of me starting a thread on here, hoping to get some advice from someone who’s had experience going through TC (Doxetaxel & Cyclophosphamide) chemo recently? I’ve just had a mastectomy with an implant reconstruction on my left breast after I had a recurrence after going through lumpectomy followed by radiation in 2024. It’s been very traumatic to say the least! Now I’m really freaking out about having to go through chemo as I’ve already been swapped to letrozole and Zoladex instead of tamoxifen which I was on before and I’m already having loads of hot flushes etc so adding other side effects on top of that feels very daunting! If anyone have any advice how to manage side effects that would be amazing! I’d love to at least attempt to not lose all my hair and eyelashes, eyebrows and maybe there’s some supplements I could take to make sure my skin doesn’t get too damaged during treatment? I’m going to bring in ice cubes/lollies to suck on as I’m having the treatment done but wondering also if there’s anything else I should be doing or bringing with me to the appointment? Thank you so much!
Grade 3 Oncotype Test Chemo decisions
Hi all, I’m in the challenging time of making decisions about chemo and would love to hear experiences from others journey particularly with any similar cancer. I have had lumpectomy on left breast results showing- Stage 2A invasive carcinoma 25mm Grade 3, HR+ PR-HER2- with lymphovascular invasion but all 13 lymph nodes sampled as clear. I am 39yo and very active and healthy (apart from this)! I pooled my savings to get the oncotype DX ordered- I am now waiting for results. (Still can’t believe we have to pay $5000 for this). I understand the Grade 3 PR negative and lymphovascular invasion detected are likely risk factors that tip towards benefits of chemo. But I have been reading more about the effectiveness of hormone therapies like OS+AI and that perhaps I could avoid chemo. I will let you all know my score when it comes back- I hope it’s low but if it’s high I’m facing such hard decisions that any similar experiences may help! thank you
What to expect - AC after Carbo/paclitaxel/pembro
Hi fighters, I am super worried about what to expect with my first AC coming up. I'll be having my birthday gathering 3 days after it too. I've got one more paclitaxel on its own in the 12 week carboplatin , paclitaxel, pembrolizumab regimen. For triple negative. I'm mid 40s. Apart from a few short bouts of intense side effects, i feel I've been fairly fortunate. No nausea. Good appetite. Side effects: Pins and needles - then used cold gloves and socks so only mild tingles after that mostly. Headaches and some fatigue occasionally in first weeks. Constipation after carbo - dealt with easily. Hints of UTI but also dealt with swiftly and all ok. Whole body red rash week 9 followed by itchy hands and feet (skin was fine) keeping me up all night for 3 nights before getting better. Fast testing heart rate in middle weeks - very out of breath and rate skyrocketing with a little activity. I attribute my last weeks being very easy due to skipping 2 weeks due to low neutrophils and getting those booster injections nearly 2 weeks straight. Also paclitaxel dose reduce due to that horrible itch. Do we think AC won't likely be so kind to me? Am I stupid for wanting to get together with friends in my birthday? Of course no sick people allowed! I have remained social and continued to work (at schools!) so far. Please share your experiences with AC, particularly if you feel similarities with mine so far. Many thanks in advance ❤️Triple Positive HER2+
Hi everyone BCNA Online Network established a Group with Triple Positive breast cancer which is useful also for people who might be HER2+ but not positive for oestrogen or progesterone. This post is also to alert previously accepted Triple Positive Group members: you might not have been automatically transferred across to the Triple Positive Group with the recent upgrade to the new BCNA Network site. Please do request to rejoin the Group (I did)! Ned01CheriSukiCheriAnna15FeRnurserachMareealsoTriplebreast240Number2CaitySXC1947Cold Booties, Mittens and Cap
I have my first chemotherapy this coming Wednesday. I have ordered the Suzzipad Cold Booties, Mittens and Cap but it won't arrive up until my third treatment. I have my chemotherapy at the RBWH in Brisbane. Does anyone know where I could rent this equipment until I get mine delivered? Is it common to wear compression stockings as well? And what do you use to protect your nails other than using cryotherapy?
Cold cap size
I'm under going 4 rounds of AC and have used the cold cap medium size First round didn't lose any hair and had a hair cut in between rounds and lost allot of hair from my crown in the second round. I'm wanted some advise on whether I should go to the small size as does the firmness of the fit impact success?A little vanity…
Hey chat,first time query having just been diagnosed, starting chemo 11/08. If anyone has experience with having created their eyebrows before losing them, that would be appreciated. Also, I read in the TCHP side effects document, not to keep ‘fake’ nails, however, my oncologist said ‘good, keep your acrylics for nails protection’ , if anyone can give me your feedback, I’d appreciate it, thankyou.Recommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons
Hi Everyone, I do hope everyone is travelling as well as they can be. Was hoping to hear of experiences and recommendations about Public v Private -North Brisbane. My GP has advised if I choose to go private then I need to find surgeon and they can send referral. Not sure where to start…have rang some surgeons, am feeling like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Has anyone had experiences with going private and having significant out of pocket expenses? Or going Public and what wait times/facilities are like, that they are comfortable in sharing. Preliminary advice is that it is likely treatment will be Chemotherapy then surgery, nothing confirmed until appointment with surgeon.
Telling my toddler and child I have breast cancer
Hi All, Last month I was diagnosed with IDC and 2 weeks ago I had a single mastectomy. I have a 3 and 5 yr old who I am struggling on how to discuss this with them. So far for all the surgeries and appointments we have told them 'Mummy has a sore booby' which has been enough for them. However I am likely to need chemotherapy and I with the likelyhood of hair loss I will need tell them more about what is going on. I have done reading online into how to do this however it seems to all be directed at older age groups. My children I dont think would understand cancer or even cells. We tell them to brush their teeth so they doing get bugs eating their teeth so I am worried to say I have a bug in my booby to them and scare them of bugs! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if anyone had found a good little video or book to help them understand what cancer is?
